Bucks County Sweet Corn and Tomato Summer Salad
A refreshing summer salad featuring sweet corn and ripe tomatoes from Southeastern Pennsylvania, tossed in a light vinaigrette with fresh basil. This american-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 20 minutes pairs (from 3 ears) fresh sweet corn kernels, cherry tomatoes, halved, fresh basil leaves, chopped into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 120 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups (from 3 ears) fresh sweet corn kernels
- 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 1/2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp honey
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 2 cups fresh sweet corn kernels (about 3 ears) and cook for 2 minutes until tender-crisp, then drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the cooled corn kernels with 1 1/2 cups halved cherry tomatoes, 1/4 cup finely diced red onion, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 1/2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp honey, 3/4 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
- Step 4: Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Step 5: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and serve chilled.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Bucks County Sweet Corn and Tomato Summer Salad take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (15 min prep + 5 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Bucks County Sweet Corn and Tomato Summer Salad?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep cherry tomatoes, halved from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Bucks County Sweet Corn and Tomato Summer Salad?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Bucks County Sweet Corn and Tomato Summer Salad for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Bucks County Sweet Corn and Tomato Summer Salad vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.